Chapter4.01　


　The meeting was to be in a rotting home filled with nocturnal insects.
　It's not only that, but also the fact that it's not a good idea to do it at the guild house.
　After sending each other letters, and as a result of the meeting, they led only a small number of guards to meet at the walled ruins in the center of Akiba - the ruins of the central train platform, familiar to "adventurers" from Earth.
　He didn't know exactly why Ains wanted to meet with Shiroe, but Shiroe had no intention of avoiding him anymore. He was in his current situation because he spared himself a conversation with Ains. The only way to snowball that regret was to face it.
　Apart from such emotional aspects, there was also a hunch. This is a political issue. Ains has left the Round Table and is now facing off against it. The situation looks like that, but that's not the end of the story. If it were a story, it might be just a matter of winning or losing, but in reality it's not that simple. And, moreover, there is no "death" here in Seldesia. Since we can't get rid of anyone who stands in our way, both sides will need to have a good amount of ground to fall back on.
　I'm sure that even if Ains were to win, there would be some form of victory that they would seek. And that's what the "Round Table" is all about. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
　Shiroe knows this all too well.
　It's not that we don't care about winning or losing, but there is a style that we must stick to. Winning and losing can only continue to be a part of the game, and victories that abandon style will often only reduce the odds of winning in the future. The prodigal tea party was able to achieve such success because they valued their style, and the Silver Sword was able to win in the end because they believed in their own way.
　Shiroe knows this, but apart from that, he doesn't know if he has that much to offer, and he sighs softly.




　A soft breeze crossed the platform, with a hint of daytime heat still in the air.
　A quick-tempered luminescent insect swam through the white spill of moonlight.
　Naotsugu and Shiroe, who had asked me to accompany them, were walking slowly across the green and moss-covered platform.
　Akatsuki was also scheduled to come, but he had a telepathic message right before he was supposed to arrive, so he was going to be delayed a bit. However, I'm not worried. It's a good idea to have a small number of escorts, but that's just the courtesy part and probably the convenience of Ains' attendants. There would be almost no worry that it would turn into a battle.
''It's kind of a nice atmosphere here.
Yes.
　This platform is located in the heart of Akiba, yet it is devoid of people, making it a perfect place for such a secret talk. In the moonlight, it was brighter than I had expected, but from the downtown area below, lit by the more dazzling 'firefly lights', it would look like a huge, dark building.
　As Naotsugu and I waited in the night for a while, the light at the back of the stairs leading from the west entrance wavered, and it seemed that the person we were meeting with had appeared.
　The one with long lime green hair and thread-thin eyes was Ains, one of the Eleven of the Round Table, who unites the Honestis.
　In the old days, this was the platform for the Akihabara station.
　The tracks and support pillars are now rusted out and covered with incomprehensible weeds and moss. The buildings on either side of the platform have been crushed to a crisp, exposing their jagged spires, as if they had been violated in a horrific way.
　The group crossed the grave-marker-like shadow and appeared.


"Thank you for your time, sir. Lord Shiroe of the Horizon of Records.
'My pleasure. I knew I had to talk to you. Mr. Ains.
　Ains and Shiroe looked at each other in silence for a while.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for. This seemed to symbolize the divided position of the two.
　Behind Ains are two earthlings. One of them was a tall, white-painted, fishy-looking nobleman. Lord Malvez. The other is a dark-haired young man, who may be Lord Malvez's personal attendant, but he's more reserved and cowering.


"So, this is about the establishment of Akiba's government, is it?
　As if to bring Shiroe back to consciousness, Ains announced in a dry voice. His voice was flat, perhaps because of the tension in his voice.
''Yes. Aside from the establishment of the new organization, the 〈Roundtable〉 must be dealt with in its own way. If the Akiva Governing Office is a governing organization - of course it is a governing organization, as the name suggests, but it will be a dual structure with the .
　Shiroe retorted with boldness.
　It was true that he felt he had to talk to Ains.
But that wasn't to talk about pandering to Ains' will. Confirming each other's intentions and clashing them with each other was what was needed now. If it was before we got to this point, then reconciliation and compromise would have been the best way to go, but even if there was some pain at this point, if we didn't clash with each other's true intentions, we'd end up leaving a bad taste in our mouths. It seemed that Ains also had that in common understanding.


I'm sure that's true. However, the is a bona fide mutual aid organization. We don't have the authority to stop a new governing body just because it's being created.''
"--
　Ains' withered voice continued.
　His voice was taut with tension, but it was not associated with weakness or hesitation. The voice fully conveyed to Shiroe how much resolve Ains had put into this day, and his voice fully conveyed Ains' determination.
''Of course, if the participating guilds are in favor of it, they may be able to engage in opposition activities and restrain it depending on the inside of their respective guild's authority, but the 【Honesty】 left the 【Roundtable】. There is no reason to follow its instructions. This matter is a matter for decision.
But I suppose the reverse is also true. The Akiva Governing Office is an organization supported by the Saigu family, or in other words, the Daichijins, and it is not possible to eliminate the Round Table from the Akiva Governing Office. The Akiba Ruling Office cannot exclude the Round Table from its ranks.
It's a tatemae theory, isn't it? --The Round Table Conference has already collapsed.
　At the truncated words, he felt Naotsugu cower behind him.
　Shiroe bit her lip and looked at Ains with a strong gaze.
　Those words unfortunately contained more than a piece of truth.


　You can't get rid of the Akiba Ruling Office, just as the Round Table cannot get rid of the Akiba Ruling Office, if you want to put it on a logical basis.
　However, there is a big difference between the two in terms of access to supplies for the Daichijinshi, and the Roundtable can't get rid of the Akiba Ruling Office. The Roundtable cannot ignore the will of the Akiva Ruling Office and act as it pleases. And since that is the case, it is clear which side is lower in the hierarchy.
　Moreover, the opportunistic people who see this are beginning to distance themselves from the Roundtable.
The Black Sword Knights have huddled on the sidelines at Maihama and declared that they're going to watch. The Eighth Shopping Street has announced that it is focusing on stable distribution. Grandale has officially decided to withdraw from the Roundtable. What is the point of having five of the twelve chairs missing from the Roundtable?
　Ains' words struck Shiroe down.
　Not that he would take those words to heart, but he couldn't ignore them either.


　When the Round Table was established, Shiroe's main concern was to make it look like a gathering of Akiba's various powers.
　The Elder Tail, which had been turned into a different world, had no system of political decision-making at all. A country - a village, a municipality, or whatever you want to call it - is a difficult thing to establish in the middle of nowhere. It is almost impossible to prove the legitimacy of a country's establishment, even if it is established.
　However, there is no organization to organize the election. Is the formation of the organizing body also decided by election?　The problem is only diffused in the way the organizing body decides on the formation of the election.
　The solution that Shiroe came up with was to take care to look legitimate. He chose the most representative guilds in Akiba, paying careful attention to the percentage of people who came from them and the tendencies of the Adventurers, and tried to give them the atmosphere and reputation of "gathering the opinions of all Akiba people" by bringing them together. And they succeeded.
　In a society without rules, the residents of Akiba had no obligation to cooperate with the Roundtable. But Shiroe still wanted to mobilize the people, and he needed legitimacy in order to gain the power to say, "This is the opinion of a legitimate organization, an organization that takes everyone's opinions and summarizes them, so it is only natural that we should cooperate with it.


　However, the Roundtable is not an organization with legitimacy in the strict sense of the word, but an organization that appears to have legitimacy.
　Even Shiroe does not believe that the methods used at that time were the perfect answer. Rather, the truth is that it was almost a made-up strategy made up in time, simply because they couldn't come up with any other means at that time in that time frame.
　At that time, there had to be consequences. It was necessary to form an autonomous organization as soon as possible to put an end to the chaos of the situation. In order to do that, they needed legitimacy, and since they couldn't get it, they just stuck it on as the next best thing, even if only in appearance.
　--However, the difference between the two has now emerged as a major crack.
　The legitimacy of the organization's status as an organization that united the forces of Akiba was shaken by the departure of Aynes and the Honestis, based on the same logic.
　The withdrawal of the Silver Sword was not a problem because it was just before the establishment of the organization, but the withdrawal of the Honesty destroyed the assumption that it would satisfy all of Akiba's forces.
　That's not to say, of course, that there hadn't been conflicts of interest before, and the consensus and acceptance of all the participating guilds was just a tatemae. But it was an important construction to support the legitimacy of the project.
　The proof of this is that right now, as if following in the footsteps of the Honesti, Grandeur has left, and the Black Sword Knights have begun to take their own course, and as a result, the credibility of the Roundtable has fallen to the ground.
　As a result, the credibility of the Black Sword Knights began to take its own course, and as a result, the credibility of the Roundtable fell to the ground.


　The collapse of the Roundtable.


''Yes, that's right. ........What is the matter that you are calling on today?　I was told there was something you wanted to talk to me about.
　Shiroe spun out the words, daring to ignore the bitterness in his chest, "Of course, we're asking you to join the Akiba Governing Office.
''Of course, we're asking you to join the Akiva Governing Office.
You're asking me to convince the guilds of the Round Table.
　It is more important to find out what Ains' true intentions are in front of you than to wallow in regret. Ains, who has created a better position for himself at the Round Table without interference, does not need to negotiate now. It is better to negotiate after imposing economic sanctions and more pressure, because it would be more advantageous for the parties to negotiate.
　It's not that simple, of course, and from Shiroe's point of view, there are a number of possible reasons why Ains contacted him.
　One of them was the cutting up of the 〈Roundtable〉, and right now, the priority was to confirm the contents of the 〈Roundtable〉.
''No, it doesn't matter,''
What?
　But that expectation is denied by Ains.


'I am. I have reflected on it. That kind of thing that ought to be, the right thing to do it's okay now. No, it's a glory, too. I can't have that, and I can't have it. I'm not going to have it. I've been so hung up on these procedures and negotiations that I've never been able to do anything. I've been a little snob, where progress is more important than results, where my reputation is more important than the outcome, so I've been unable to do anything. So I couldn't do anything, and I was looked down upon by all kinds of people.
....
　Ains, with his hard voice, spoke as if he was shaking it off.
　It sounded to Shiroe like a penance to God, though it was out of place, coupled with Ains' pale expression.
'I have thought. What do I need now?　What must be gained in order to change Akiva? The answer, Lord Shiroe, is. It's you.
Me?
　His voice was bitter to all intents and purposes.
　The sound of self-mockery that filled the voice of Ains, who was supposed to be negotiating advantageously, made Shiroe feel sympathy for the first time.
''That's right. The one who created the in the first place was Shiroe-dono. It was you. The formation of the Roundtable was your revitalizing plan to escape the chaos of the Great Disaster.
"The Round Table is chaired by Krusty, you know. The three major production guilds provide the financial back-up, and the four major combat guilds provide the defense and security.
　But Ains' reputation is probably a buyout.
　As I remembered earlier, the establishment of the was a tour de force. It was an unjustified and hurried attempt to make it happen. It was a miracle that we were able to succeed with the help of so many people.


You created that system.
....
It was you who brokered a pact of friendship and commerce with the League of Free Cities of Eastar at the Council of Lords of Eternal Ice, creating a new relationship between the Earthmen and us.
　However, Shiroe's self-evaluation and Ains' seemed to be at odds with each other. The words that followed were Shiroe's track record to date, and at the same time, an achievement of the Roundtable.
She used Princess Reinesia as a buffer to demand and force Akiva to admit to her political non-interference. But that's not the only thing worth mentioning. In the Sacrifice Gold Incident, you conducted secret negotiations with the northeastern Sacrifice Clan to secure an almost unlimited supply of political capital!
It was a defensive move to defend against an attack by Zorn's takeover attempt...
　In Shiloe's mind, they all had their own motives, and they were all done for good in the moment. When I think back, all I can think of is the blunders I made. I remember the shame of stumbling and staggering and causing worry and annoyance to those around me, even though I was able to profit from the results.


I don't blame you. "I do not blame you; on the contrary, I admire you a great deal. Rather, I greatly admire the fact that all of these actions came from your own brain. At every turn of every measure, you are always there.
....
　Ains smiled wearily at the hard expression on his face.
That bitter smile looked like a declaration of victory or a declaration of defeat.


So I thought to myself. I thought to myself, 'I'll be fine with Shiroe. That is to say, 'It will not work without you, Shiroe. That is what I want to talk to you about today. We can put off the Round Table until later. No, I even think that the Round Table can be maintained as the cornerstone of our autonomy. But, Shiroe-dono. I would like to invite you to join the Akiva administration.
　Shiroe looked at the young guild master in front of him as if he was seeing him for the first time now. Then he realized that until now he had underestimated this man, even if subconsciously.
　With this tired look on his face, Ains stood in front of Shiroe as a warrior who had abandoned his previous appearance.


◆ Chapter4.02　


''........I'm glad you appreciate it, but why do you go so far?　It's true that I'm the originator of several operations, but I don't think I'm the type of person who would be expected to go that far. The Black Sword Knights and the West Wind Brigade would be more desirable as a disciplined defensive force, and if you're talking about production, wouldn't it be easier to talk to the Maritime Organization?
　In a voice that sounded self-conscious and latent, Shiroe asked back.
　However, the question was not one of substance.
　Shiroe is now desperately planning and considering how to deal with Ains in his brain.
　The Horizon of Records (Log Horizon) is a small guild. It could be said that Shiroe is a one-man operation in managing it. That's why it makes sense to talk to Shiroe personally in order to get the guild off the ground. But then, do you want the ?　If you ask me, that's not true.
　Even if their goal was to sway the Roundtable, they had already achieved that goal with the help of Grandale and the Black Sword Order. I'm sure the departure of the Record Horizon, the catalyst for the formation of the Round Table, would be very upsetting, but do we really want to talk to Shiroe personally?


'Yes, they are. 'Yes, they are a powerful force. I'm sure their help will go a long way in reforming Akiva.
That's right.
　The conversation went on regardless of such thoughts on Shiroe's part.
''But they can't change the situation significantly. Their mighty power is supported by the guild, and it won't work if they are separated from the guild. There is no one better than Shiroe-dono as a devil's card to upset an overwhelming disadvantage and a desperate situation.''
　That's buying," Shiroe was about to say, but the line was conquered by a strong gaze from Ains.


''I have no ability. --It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. I'm not going to be able to get away with it because of my high ideals and my small talk. I'm a petty person who gets hungrier and hungrier for the sake of pride. Do you think I will succeed in creating the Akiba Governing Office?　I can't. I don't believe in it any more than anyone else.
I don't think so.
　Shiroe searched for words, but Ains seemed to sink even deeper into his own reminiscences.
It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to see the results. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of this. It's not just about excellence, it's about transforming the impossible into the possible, and it's about firing star-crossed arrows. A chief of staff, of course, to whom I would entrust all authority. Smile equally at Akiva's "adventurers. Other than that ideal, let's leave all policy matters to Lord Shiroe. I can assure you that not only Shiroe-dono, but all of us at the Horizon of Record will be treated accordingly.
　It was--.
　It was probably an unthinkably favorable condition.
　If those conditions were true, then it would be possible to rebuild Akiba in its current state of division.
　If you combine this with Ains' earlier statement that "it is acceptable to allow the Roundtable to continue to exist," then even the autonomy of Japan's relationship with Tokyo, for example, might be possible to be separated.
　Ains' desire to support the lethargic Adventurers is not an evil or worthless policy. I'm sure that Ains himself may not be satisfied, but Shiroe and the Round Table have done what they could under the circumstances. That fact is proof that the guild masters of the Roundtable were not indifferent to this matter.
　That is to say, even if this case did not exist, that measure was something that the Roundtable intended to continue to implement, and had to do.


　Shiroe was wavering.
　In the first place, Shiroe was unable to have a clear guideline for the current situation. Ains is evil. If he could decry that, Shiroe could plan as many strategies as he wanted, but that was not the case. Rather, he couldn't reflect on himself and take strong measures because he could understand Ains' pain, and because he could see that Akiva wasn't perfect. Even if that hesitation led to the clash we're in now, that doesn't mean I can't see myself as supreme.
　In a way, Shiroe and Ains were similar.
　They were accomplices in the sense that their concern for the situation had led to this situation.
　This move, which Ains had made after a long period of prostration, was immense in its effect, and he was considering many people. If only he could ignore what had happened so far, it was more likely to make Akiva happy than Kalashin's brilliance or Isaac's stiffness.
　Shiroe could cooperate with Ains.
　This time Shiroe was standing on the same side as Ains.


'Fortunately, I am now in a position to receive the strong patronage of the Daichijin.
You're the Saigu family.
'Power is power, no matter what color it is. Now I have given up the grace to reject it.
　Ains cut off Shiroe's question, which had crept in to probe, and discarded it from the front. However, there was something to bite into that bait.
''That's quite a mouthful. It's a good thing that you're a Zuininin. The Holy Imperial West Runde is the legitimacy of the Yamato family.　The highest authority in the land, so to speak. I wish you lords would show a little more respect for how valuable they are as backers.
　The one who interrupted the banquet more irritably than the one he had attended was the odd-looking Viscount Malvez, the Earthling.
"I see.
　Shiroe shrugged.
　Ains' passionate speech from earlier was worth listening to.
　But at the same time, he also noticed that the white-coated 'earthling' nobleman, Malvez, who was standing behind him, was changing his footing as if he were irritated.
　In fact, it was more difficult not to notice. Malvez, apparently self-conscious, asked from behind Ains, "Is it your turn yet? I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　That Malvez's words, from the very beginning, were a meaningless, thorny check, and even Shiroe was troubled by the reaction. I'm sorry if you say "not polite enough," but to begin with, that of courtesy is different between Earth and Seldesia. Even on the same Earth, the cultures of Japan and the West are different, but I am troubled by such a comment.
　Memories fade fast when people aren't interested.
　In Shiroe's mind, Malvez was a "Kramer-like nobleman who came to the last Balance Festival" and a "wet-feathered dew duster", and that's the only impression I have of him. He gives the impression of being a foolish, irrational, spoiled child, but he has also cut it to pieces, and to tell the truth, I don't feel much dislike for him.
　But the thinness itself was also extremely unwilling from Malvez's point of view.
'I wonder what your attitude is. "What is this attitude? Adventurers are not known for their propriety towards your kind.
There is nothing precious except the seed. That's what the word "noble" can mean.
　He bit Shiroe from the front, and when he was easily fried, he bit his teeth with a fury that was evident on his white powder face.


　In the meantime, Shiroe continued to think.
　I can believe Ains' words. I think. At the very least, there was a fever of risking one's life. Of course, there may be something hidden, and there may be a convenient part of it, but it can't all be a lie. At least one point of "I want to do something about it now" could be believed.
　However, whether or not it's okay to leave your clogs with them is another matter. It's hard to believe that the 〈Holy Empire Westlande〉 that gave aid to Ains is completely overlapping its intentions with those of Ains.
　If they were to send the rank of Duke of Akiva, they must have a good idea there. Shiroe stared at Malvez, trying to find that out. It is not at all the intention of Shiroe himself, but his gaze is proportional to the seriousness of Shiroe's inner self, which makes him look unhappy to Yojin.
''Your pilgrimage, Saigu-dono's edict.
　Believing that he was naturally glared at by Shiroe, Malvez declared even louder to rebound from the pressure.
'Saigu, is it?'
　Saigu. Again Shiroe heard the name.
You are the master of Yamato," he said. You are the noble ruler of Yamato, who, out of concern for the dark clouds that threaten to engulf the land, fearlessly picked up my name, Ummoto-Arte-Marves, from the city, and sent me to be your foresight.
Yeah. Previously on the Feast of the Balance. Hmm.
　Shiroe analyzed the words to understand them, shredding them into small pieces and writing them down in the briefing notes in her brain. Now it's my turn to gather information. There's no need to waste time talking back.
It's not necessary to waste time talking about it. "At that time, the compassionate one had already declared that he could not unite the imperial court like a disturbed hemp, unless he could communicate with the Eastern Easterners. That's why he even gave me, Malvez, the sailor of Nio, a spirit ship and sent it to Akiba!
Huh?
You mocked him for everything!　To bring to naught the favor of the One who would allow the greetings from Akiva to come from him, to the very death!　However. I, Malvez, have received a report from him that Princess Reinesia may be the catalyst for the reconciliation of the East and West. Her benevolence, which is deeper than the sea, her wisdom, which is higher than the mountains!　He will understand this, Lord Siloe of the Record Horizon.
　In other words, there must be a faction in the palace.
　This Lord Malvez was an upstart, so to speak, and hence his name was not mentioned in the court documents borrowed from Li-Gun. He was a protégé of the Saimiya family, and had recently been sent as an emissary for trade and commerce with Yamato.
　The Spirit Ship was developed relatively early in the aftermath of the catastrophe.
　Unlike the fire lizard steam engine (salamander engine), the magical winds of the sylphs (wind maidens), summoned from within the circle of ashes, are shone directly onto the sails to generate thrust.
　Considering that, it's clear that they are not so much the end of the line, but rather members of the Saimiya family's faction that have some power in their own right. Nevertheless, how is it that they wield the rights of the aristocracy so much under these circumstances?　Siloe couldn't help but think that.
　Apart from how Malvez himself feels, considering the current relationship between the Alliance of Free Cities Eastal and the Holy Empire of Westland, it can be said to be strained to say the least.
　The role that Malvez played last year was that of a goodwill ambassador, if you listen to him now. If he was in that position, but had this much of a deliberate attitude, it would be impossible to hold it together. The last time I saw him as an "enemy", I surrounded him with Michitaka and Krusty and crushed him, but this time I was observing him from a more neutral perspective (or more specifically, as someone else's person), so I could only say that he was a disappointing person.


　This is because since the start of this encounter, you can see that Malvez seems to be concerned about his attendant young man, despite the fact that he has been desperately trying to avoid looking in that direction.
　In the first place, Ains probably had no intention of hiding it.
　To Shiroe and the others, it was obvious as a status that would pop up. Shiroe let out a small sigh to hear the intentions that had stepped in for good measure, and turned the water on the real characters.


'That's enough. I'm surprised that Sir Malvez's hardship story is too easy to understand. .........Is that correct?　Saigu-den.
　The squire, who stepped forward with arrogance and chest at Shiroe's words, was in his mid-twenties in terms of age. He was about the same height as Shiroe, but there was an unconcealed elegance to his sweet mouth and cool eyes.
　The glowering, arrogant tone of voice that seemed to glower around the room, but the young man's natural air alone didn't make it seem so, spoke to Shiroe in a tone full of curiosity.
'Is this the kind of person who is the unworldly warrior who leads Akiva? --Yo is Utena-Saigu-Touri. Shiroe of the Horizons of Record. I have been looking forward to meeting you, even in a place like this.



Chapter 4.03


How dare the leader of the House of Saigu, the leader of the Holy Empire of West Runde, come to you?
　Shiroe looked at Saigu as he said a few words of greeting.
'I've heard of Shiroe, the great mage who leads the Horizon of Records. I only came to see his face.
　Facing each other as if in a mirror, Saimiya also looked at Shiroe.
　They were both well aware of each other's value to each other.
　In Shiroe's eyes was a young man with a well-groomed appearance. His glossy black hair was tied lower than a ponytail, and he was dressed in a sort of plain outfit, of the quality of a noble squire, but not flamboyant.
　But that didn't mean he was going to be overlooked. The way he looks around him, full of curiosity and amusement, and yet with a gaze that seems to pierce his surroundings, is an atmosphere that cannot be described as ordinary.
(If I had to say it, I'd say he looks like Krusty. But the only sign of Isaac-san is when he's angry. (The smiling eyes are Soujiro.)
　Various words came and went, but the last thing that remained was pride.
　This young man, who called himself Touri Saimiya, must be standing here with a strong sense of pride and self-control. It was a personality Shiroe had never seen before, even in his own assessment of himself, and it was a personality he hadn't seen in his age in the Earth world for a bit.


''It's worth it,'' he said, a dedication by Ains. 'Worth it,' said the dedication by Ains, 'that status and goods are not enough to woo that person. He admonished me to reveal all my cards and to be sincere in my dealings.
　The pressure of the signs did not diminish, but the sharpness dropped from there.
　Because Touli's smiling voice spoke highly of Shiroe.
'It is,'
　I don't know.
　Shiroe waves her hand in her brain without letting others hear it.
''I don't know, it's kind of subtly annoying, or maybe it's just buying it.
　The voice of a close friend is much more convincing. I know that the viewpoints of the earthlings are different from our own as adventurers, but even so, they paid a lot of money for it, didn't they?
I very much doubt that these limpid, dark gourd glasses are worth it.
　Even Malvez's blurbs sounded so righteous compared to Touri Saimiya's.
'Oke. And, Shiroe. How do you respond?
　The highest rank of the Yamato aristocracy was every bit as linear and impetuous.
　The question was that of Ains. In other words, it would take 'lend me strength'.
　A glowing worm crossed the space between them.
　Shiroe's thoughts continued to circulate without removing his gaze.
　How could this be?
　That was his first thought.
　Why would the guildmaster of a weak guild be getting recruits from at least half the highest ranks of this Yamato?　This situation was beyond Shiroe's control, he thought.
　However, when he thought about it calmly, even the Sergiad Duke of Maiama was a similar authority. It's not that I'm not a fan of this, I'm just a fan of the fact that I'm not a fan of the fact that I am. The Violet Star, the leader of the Sacrifice Clan, who encountered him in the depths of the Abyssal Birthplace, is also, in a sense, the ruler of Yamato. In terms of both ability and power, it is hard to believe that he is comparable to Osasa.
　To put it another way, the Akiba Round Table, a group of adventurers, is a group feared by both of them. It's not just their fighting ability, but even their economic and developmental power are no longer negligible to the Alliance of Free Cities Eastal, or in other words, to the Holy Imperial Westland.
　In other words, it can't be helped.
　No matter how out of place Shiroe secretly thought it was, judging objectively, this face-to-face encounter would have happened sooner or later. Even if they weren't the same, they must have been having a similar conversation with someone of similar status.
(And--)
　Once I understood that to be the case, even if I wasn't convinced, I had a clearer view.
　Besides, this was an opportunity.
　It was the same in the Council of Lords and in the Abyss. Encounters are rare in this medieval society. Opportunities to directly exchange words with the head of an organization that seemed to be in conflict with each other were not a rare occurrence.
　That's why Shiroe put all his strength into his mind.
　When he was ready, he became interested in the young man named Tori. He wanted to know, honestly.
'If you'll forgive me the rudeness of replying to a question with a question, then where is Touri-sama's interest in this?
"Speaking of Your Majesty!　You're too high headed to begin with!
I don't receive the Saigu family's stipend, you know.
　Swallowing some bitterness, Shiroe responds. If it was a matter of courtesy, it didn't matter how you changed the extent of what you called him, but at this moment, he couldn't afford to show an opening that would lead to a rating. He didn't mind bowing his head, but Shiroe avoided the fact that it would prevent him from looking directly into the eyes of the young man named Touri.
'Refrain, Malvez.' --not only at the recommendation of Ains. The achievements of this one who has traced the messenger, the minister and the vessel of a vizier, if that's half the story. I can't afford to have this many wise men in the field.
　The answer came in the form of a dismissal of Malvez's words, rather than directly. Those words, which lead to an admission of the Saimiya family's weakness, may have been problematic to reveal in response to the external question of Shiroe.
'Isn't there?'
No.
　Although Shiroe was not involved in any court rituals, he could sense that there were some very troublesome restrictions. I could also sense that the last member of the Yamato royal family was coming to the meeting with a frankness that brushed aside most of them.
(He must be extremely competent.)
　Plus, he has charisma.
　Shiroe felt quite somber. He may indeed be an attractive person, but if so, that doesn't necessarily mean that he will have a happy future. The same is true of Krusty and Kanami. Turning them into enemies would be troublesome, and looking up to their bosses would cause more hardship.
'Why?'
Because the Senate wants to fight.
It's a--
　I see," said Shiroe bitterly.
　That word seemed to be the answer.
　All sorts of conspiracies that had been in place up until now were being solved and the ice was being broken.


'Listen, Shiroe. It is true that I have old blood. Westlande will be the successor of the Imperial Dynasty. But the aristocrats of the Lande realm, overindulged in blue blood, have created an organization called the Senate and are doing whatever they want with their politics. They are trying to extend their ambitions not only to the West, but also to the East.
　More and more, deep wrinkles are etched between Shiroe's eyebrows.
　I know what you're saying.
　The problem with it, and the extent of the damage. It was painfully obvious to Shiroe. The adventurers may be more sensitive about this issue than the Daichijin. A bloody internal struggle, a civil war. The desire to avoid war is especially strong for Shiroe and the other Japanese on Earth.
That's why His Majesty has stood up for it.
Not so. Not so, Malvez. I'm just the backpack of Westlande. If Westerrande had gotten Ystrandtal without any problems, I would have liked to spend my time composing poetry. But the reality is that this is not the case. Westlande would get burned if he wanted Ystrandeh. And not just a few. Or perhaps the flames will not only burn Westarande, but all of Yamato.
Operation Red Night.
　Shiroe replied to Saimiya's words in response to Malvez's booming cry.
　The plot of the Daichijinshi that Nyanta had told him about.
　KR warned him about the Senate's secret research and its results.
That is the ultimate in the Senate's ambitions. The development of the Pearl of Possession and the Man-Made Adventurer will give the men of the Earth the power of the Adventurer. The Steel Train, equipped with the high-powered Altar of the North Wind, could make a blitzkrieg invasion a possibility. --We don't have much time.
Are you suggesting that Tori-sama has Akiva's support in the fight against the Senate?
In the capital, Utsuwa leads his men in a political battle with a villain named Intix, who is supported by the Senate. I am pleased with Wet Feather's courage, but the situation is unpredictable.
And the assassination of Prince Yserus?
I suppose I should see it as a warning.
　Saimiya answered Naotsugu's question without blame. Naotsugu's reply was, "You're a pea.
　Mame, I suppose. That is, if you can control your disgust.
　However, Shiroe thought, that reputation had to be given. The Saphir attack and the steel vehicle combat experiments that were behind it. The Holy Empire of Westarande had been more willing to incorporate the forces of the Adventurers than the Free City Alliance of Eastar. Perhaps behind Akiva's happy time, in the small darkness of the capital, all sorts of plots were taking place.


　I knew that it was something like that (,,,,,,,,,,,,). We'd expected it, we'd seen the signs.
　But Shiroe thought as a very ordinary college student on Earth. You'll have to figure out what's going on over there, he thought. That wouldn't be a mistake. Shiroe and Shiroe's friends had all lived with that stance. That was obvious, not to argue, to a mere college student who was nothing more than a nondescript college student on Earth, and it was not something to blame or blame.
　The horrible plot was taking place in an inexplicable place, far away from Shiroe and his friends, so it didn't harm their lives, nor was it responsible. It was "distant news" regardless of where it was actually taking place.
　It was a sentimental remembrance, Shiroe thought wistfully as he listened to the "telepathic tale" whispered in his ear. I'm not going to let the people around me know that I have a few minutes left," she said, pulling her chin back and mocking herself.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to find the right one.
　Even if Shiroe were to take a stand on the sidelines like that, there was no guarantee that someone somewhere would solve the situation.
　It doesn't sit well with Shiroe, but Plant hwyaden's guild master, the Grantor, seems to have an obsession with Shiroe. After promising to be an enemy, she offered her full cooperation to Akiva in helping the victims of the Sibuya Fortress of Calling, and her help was invaluable. Her help was invaluable, and through the sharing of information and complementary supplies, she saved many of the Daichians, and not a few of the adventurers.
　Her change of direction led to a faction war in the West, which led to the rise of the Saigu, and then to the current turmoil with the marriage of Princess Reinesia.
　Shiroe's information and understanding of the situation allowed her to understand such background with only a hint from Touri Saimiya.
　Shiroe is able to understand it.
　He was only a party to this, no matter how far he went. Shiroe knew that now, even after all this time. The more important you are, the more you get involved, the more the world becomes your own thing at an accelerated rate.
　I can't use words like "regret" to describe it; it was a regret.
　It wasn't that I had more important things to do. Despite the fact that it was, I felt like a lone wolf, in other words, it was a feeling of remorse for being irresponsible.
'I want to marry Reinesia and establish a neutral zone between Akiva and Boksult as a symbol of East-West reconciliation. Help me to achieve this, Shiroe. This is the duty of all the people living in Yamato. Ains understands this and is helping me with this.
　The young man in front of him, a young man of Shiroe's age, seemed to have nothing to do with that irresponsibility alone.
　That alone was an attitude worthy of great respect.
　Although he could be made to feel inferior, the Tameoka in front of him was a good guy.
　Surely there was a future where Shiroe would be standing next to Touri Saigu at this time.
(Amazing. Thinking about his position and the future of his country, and continuing to do so since he was a child. (There are people your age like that.)
　Even at this moment, the choice feels compelling.
(Maybe that's what they call an emperor's bowl.)
Really, it's a bad time.
　Shiroe murmured.


　A gust of wind blew through and the treetops of the ancient tree rustled. A luminescent insect danced like a blizzard scattered by the wind, and the princess and her handmaids emerged from the veil of light.
　A beautiful girl with long silvery white silken hair floating softly in the night. The Winter Rose of Eastar, Rainesia. She is supported by Akatsuki, Liese, Henrietta and Tatara, who stand behind her as if to support her. All of them wore a dull, azure uniform.
　The moment Shiroe saw them, she knew that her premonition had turned into a decision.
　If it had been any other way, she might have still been able to take it back, but Reinesia was wearing the gray-blue coat that was the formal attire of the Round Table. It was a bit ill-fitting for the slender girl, over-sized, and pulled up with a sash at the waist.
　It wasn't logical, it was just decisive.
　In an inexplicably optimistic mood, Shiroe looked up to the heavens. Whether that was an advantage or a disadvantage, it was impossible to tell at this point. But the choice had been made.
　The mood was familiar to Shiroe. When Kanami had decided to go on a reckless expedition, the companions of the Prodigal's Tea Party had always shared that mood. If you look around, you can see Naotsugu wearing the same clothes, but with a wry smile and cowering shoulders.


''You must be Saimiya Touri-sama, right?''
"I see Lord Reinesia-Coven.
　The beautiful man and woman exchanged glances via Shiroe's position as she stepped aside.
'The palace of Icoma is waiting for your entrance.
No.
　Once depressed, Reinesia dared to raise her face and interrupted the greeting of the highest Yamato with her fiery, jewel-like eyes.
'I have some unfinished business in this city.
That can be accomplished from the city of Keough.
　Reinesia shook her head at the deep tone of her voice, poised in a hawk-like manner. Then, as if assembling a new fresh water from within herself, she was silent for a while before replying, "It's a matter of where I want to be.
　The small sigh was Ains'.
　The thread-eyed 【Pagan Guru】, who had turned pale as if he had grown old all at once after this development of a mere few minutes, quietly looked down at his hand and his outfit.
'You think you are allowed to play such a trick on me?　Are you going to be relieved of your duty as a child? If it's an ornament, be an ornament and know its value!
　As if to check Malvez, who takes a furious step forward, Akatsuki and Riese also step forward to flank Reinesia.
''Isn't it you who is arrogant!
　Shiroe listened to Akatsuki's daring words.
Milord would be like this. 'A subordinate to a man who leaves a proposal to his subordinates with a message. Do you have enough to ask? And.
　I scowled at Liese's mannerisms.
　That would be like giving them a fight. All this is a matter of politics between the East and the West, and if you recommend it on such a cut-and-dried basis, nothing can be held together. The women of Akiba are too stubborn and cause trouble every time. It's a big problem.


'Lord Shiroe. Can you please help us for Akiva?
　Shiroe shook his head quietly at Ains' words as he shook them.
''I understand the story. The Holy Empire Westland and the Alliance of Free Cities Eastal. I can understand why you don't want those two to clash.
Shiroe-dono. Then!
'It seems the quest has been accepted. No, I was the one who ordered the quest in the first place, wasn't I? 'Create a Roundtable and bring harmony and development to Akiba. That quest hadn't been completed. If you're wearing that outfit, you're one of them. That's why I have to help you complete your quest.
　Shiroe turned the front of his body to Saimiya and Ains and repositioned his glasses to hide his embarrassment. Not as torn as he had been then, Shiroe chose to be clear and aware now. He chose to fight, not in case of something, not to help someone close to him, but to continue what he already had, not to break it.
　The guild leader, with the backing of Naotsugu, who laughed in disgust, is more aloof than when he was at the Prodigal's Tea Party, but with a much more passionate heart, and the guild leader, Akatsuki, with his mouth in a crooked position, Liese, with her age-appropriate daredevil attitude, Tatara, and Henrietta, who folded her arms as if she were lecturing him, is in full view I stood out as.
'But there's more than one way to do it. Akiba will take care of itself. This will be a better city than it is now. So,
　So, let's play the game.
　Shiroe chose those words after all.
　On the platform of Akiba on the night of the luminous bug's crossing, Shiroe told this to the most powerful man in Akiba and his former colleagues who knew him well.
　On the night that the Roundtable announced its collapse, the battle to determine its successor had begun.